I love Full Cast Audio's ODYSSEUS by Geraldine McCaughrean. The voices are incredible, especially powerful the voice of the Cyclops that rumbles and roars. Music helps transition from chapter to chapter and from one adventure to another as well as serve as a bridge between Odysseus at sea and his wife and son at home. McCaughrean's prose retelling is perfect for middle school: lots of gore and gruesome details without losing the story of Odysseus himself.
I will report on more later. For now, it is back to the balcony to watch the water and sky.